Mike Potter ·
6 Sep 2009, 8:51 PM ·
Comment
COLEMAN FIELD/CARY It’s the finale of the four-game Canada at USA exhibition series preparing for baseball’s World Cup, and today the U.S. team will go for the sweep.
Team USA is batting in the top of the inning each time. And the ninth inning is going to be different no matter what as it’s going to be played under international tiebreaker rules.
There’s an active crowd on hand, as the National Training Complex is also the site this weekend of the Labor Day Cup involving 16 high level youth teams.
Canada is wearing some very odd jerseys. The national red is the primary color, but the letters and numbers are also in the identical color and lightly outlined in black. So it’s anyone’s guess as to who is who.
The USA gets off to a big start in the first off big right-hander Matt Kniginyzky, but doesn’t get as much out of the rally as it should. It all turns out well in the end, though, as the USA wins 11-2.
Buck Coats and Trevor Plouffe lead off with back-to-back doubles, followed by a walk to Justin Smoak and a Terry Tiffee (pictured) single to center that sends Plouffe to third. But Josh Kroeger’s one-out grounder to second provides the only other RBI for a 2-0 lead. Continue reading »
Baseball, Durham Bulls, USA Baseball Brett Lawrie, Buck Coats, Canada, Chris Robinson, Cory Luebke, Daniel Descalso, Eddie Rodriguez, Ernie Whitt, Jason Castro, Jon Weber, Josh Kroeger, Justin Smoak, Lucas May, Matt Kniginyzky, Shawn Bowman, Terry Tiffee, Trevor Plouffe
Mike Potter ·
4 Sep 2009, 9:48 PM ·
1 Comment
COLEMAN FIELD/CARY It’s Game 2 of USA Baseball’s friendly series against Canada, as both teams prepare to play in the World Cup in The Netherlands, Italy in Germany later this month.
The clubs are made up entirely of minor-league pros, with the USA team completely of Triple-A and Double-A players while the Canadians are from every level including a couple of former pro pitchers who are currently without contracts.
The series should be competitive, as Team USA won the opener 6-4 on Thursday night after the visitors had taken an early 3-0 lead.
Two of the USA players were with the Durham Bulls just a few days ago. Jon Weber is playing left field and hitting third, while Jason Childers came out of the bullpen for a scoreless inning on Thursday.
It’s a mild night with no threat of rain out in one of the greenest parts of the Triangle. And it’s a happy alcohol-free crowd that will get a chance to watch “The Bad News Bears” after the early game.
Panera Bread has brought sustenance to the press box. Let’s play ball.
Team USA jumps on right-hander and former Giants organization farmhand Brooks McNiven for a three-spot in the first inning of a game the Americans eventually hold on to win 7-4.
Buck Coats (pictured) starts the rally with a one-out double to right. Weber then walks before Pedro Alvarez reaches on a fielder’s-choice ball to third to force Weber. Ike Davis walks before Justin Smoak hits a two-run single to center. Tug Hulett’s single to center makes it 3-0. Continue reading »
Baseball, Durham Bulls, USA Baseball B.J. Rosenberg, Brad Lincoln, Brett Lawrie, Brooks McNiven, Buck Coats, Canada, Chris Begg, Cole Armstrong, Daniel Descalso, Ike Davis, Jason Castro, Jason Childers, Jon Weber, Justin Smoak, Nate Field, Pedro Alvarez, Rene Tosoni, Shawn Bowman, Tim Smith, Todd Redmond, Trevor Plouffe, Tug Hulett
